Harrisburg in Saline County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Dr. Lewis and the Lewis Sanatorium
Photographed By Jason Voigt, February 14, 2022
1. Dr. Lewis and the Lewis Sanatorium Marker
Pioneering black physician James Henry Lewis (1888-1963) was born in North Carolina. Because of limited educational opportunities available to black students at that time and place, he moved to Illinois, where he worked to put himself through both Wheaton Academy and Wheaton College. After graduation from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, and an internship at City Hospital in St. Louis, Dr. Lewis learned of the need for a black physician in Harrisburg, then the largest city in southeastern Illinois. He moved to Harrisburg in 1923 and, owing to the need for a hospital to treat black patients in that segregated era in 1927, he opened his own hospital - the Lewis Sanatorium at 407 East Walnut Street. There the doctor welcomed all patients without regard to race. Doctor Lewis was highly respected in the community, and Lewis Street in Harrisburg was named in honor.Erected 2021 by Saline County Historical Society, the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, and the Illinois State Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
Photographed By Jason Voigt, February 14, 2022
2. Dr. Lewis and the Lewis Sanatorium Marker
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Location. 37° 44.416′ N, 88° 32.161′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Illinois, in Saline County. Marker is on East Walnut Street east of North Mill Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 406 E Walnut St, Harrisburg IL 62946, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Virginia Gregg (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Harrisburg City Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saline County Courthouse Clock (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harrisburg (approx. Ό mile away); Blockhouses (approx. 1.7 miles away); River Pirate's Cabin (approx. 1.7 miles away); Aydolette Cabin (approx. 1.7 miles away); Chenault School (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.
More about this marker. Marker was dedicated on October 24, 2021.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 163 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 14, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
